Regulating radiator valve



- April 12,1938.

-D. N. CROSTHWAI T, JR. AL

REGULATING RADIATOR VALVE Filed Jan. 11, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet 1 April12,1938. D. N. CROSTHWAIT,.JR., 5+ AL 2,114,139

REGULATING I RADI ATOR VALVE Filed Jan. 11, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April12,". 1938. D. N. CROSTHWAIT, JR. -r AL 2,114,139

' REGULATING RADIATOR VALVE Filed .lfan. 11, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3"Patented Apr. 12, 1938 UNITED STATES REGULATING mnm'ron VALVE David N.Crosthwait, Jr., and Albert JfHesn er, Marshalltown, Iowa, and JohnHenry Brennan,

Michigan City, Ind.,

assignors to C. A. Dunham Company, Marshalltown, Iowa, a corporation ofIowa Application January 11, 1937, Serial No. 120,018

'20 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved regulating radiator valve,and more particularly to an improved inlet valve for a radiator adaptedto not only cut off the flow of steam or other heating medium to theradiator, but also to regulate the rate of flow through the valve anddetermine the maximum rate of steam flow to the radiator 7 when thevalve is fully, opened.

It is customary to provide each radiator of a heating system with amanually operable control valve positioned adjacent the inlet to theradiator so that an occupant of a room in which the radiator is locatedmay turn on or cut oflE the flow of heating medium to the radiator asmay seem to be desirable. Such a valve will usually be moved from fullyclosed to fully opened position, and in orcler to secure the properdistribution of steam between the several radiators of a system it iscustomary in many systems to provide an additional means, not under thecontrol of the occupants of the room, for determining the maximum flowof steam or other heating medium through the radiator in accordance withthe requirements of that particular radiator. There will be a dif- 5ference in the friction loss to one radiator as compared to another;variations in the types and sizes of the diiierent radiators used, aswell as the fluid capacities of the several radiators; and the locationof each individual radiator in the heating system will also aflect thedesired maximum steam flow thereinto. There will tend to be a greaterfiow of steam irom a common supply pipe into a radiator near the sourceof supply than into a radiator remote from the source. For any 35 or allof these reasons it is desirable to restrict the maximum steam flow intocertain radiators with respect to the maximum flow into other radiatorsin order to obtain equal and proper distribution between the severalradiators of the sys tem. According to one known method orifice insystems operating under sub'atmospheric pre's- 4 sures.

The improved inlet valve forming the subject matter of this inventionnot only serves as a cutoff valve but also as a metering device therebythe valve is provided with an apertured metering .sleeve whichdetermines the maximum steam flow through the valve in accordance withthe maximum opening of the movable valve member. The valve is providedwith the usual operating handle which may be swung through apredetermined angle (preferably approximately 360) so as to move thevalve from open to closed position or vice versa, The operating meansbetween this handle and the movable valve member includes an adjustingdevice, normally inaccessible to the occupants of the room, whichprovides for a certain amount of lost-motion between the operatinghandle and the movable valve member so that the maximum valve openingaccomplished by one complete swinging movement of the handle can bevaried as desired. The valve is also provided with a packless sealingmeans so that none of the valve operating oradjusting mechanism isexposed to the steam, and the main'mum valve opening may be adjustedwithout causing any leakage in the system or disturbing the circulation.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improvedradiator valve of the type briefly described hereinabove and disclosedmore in detail in the specifications which follow.

Another object is to provide a valve in which a substantially constantand predeterminedopening movement of the manually operable handle willserve to move the valve from a completely closed position to anyselected position of maximum opening.

Another object is in which the increments of steam flow caused by equalincrements of movement of the valve operating means can be proportionedas'desired.

Another object is to provide a valve of this type in which the valveadjusting means is rendered substantially inaccessibleto unauthorizedpersons. r

Other objects and advantages of this invention will bermore apparentfrom the following detailed description of certain approved types ofapparatus constructed and operating according to the principles of thisinvention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through the assembled valve, thevalve being shown in open position.

Fig. 2 isa side elevation of the valve, partially to provide a valve ofthis type broken away and partially in central vertical section, showingthe valve in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a. plan view of the valve with the upper I Fig. 6 is a similarvertical section, taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the valve stem.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view ofv the adjustingjnut.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the sectional looking sleeve withdrawnfrom the adjusting nut.

Fig. 10 is a central vertical section of a modiflcation, this viewcorresponding to the upper portion of Fig. 1.

The valve casing comprises the main casting I provided with a lowerinlet port 2 into which the upper end of the supply pipe or riser isconnected, and witha laterally extending outlet port 3 adapted to beconnected by fitting 4 with the nipple 5 which is connected into theinlet port of the radiator. The upper end of casing I is open ,and.externally threaded at 6 to be engaged by the annular closure plate ornut I. Casing I is formed with an internal web 8 provided with avertically extending cylindrical passage or port 9 at the upper end ofwhich is the valve seat II]. This valve seat is preferably ofsemi-circular cross section as shown, or at least is flared outwardly atthe upper end of passage 9 for reasons hereinafter explained.

The movable valve member II comprises an upper supporting disk or platefrom which depends a downwardly extending central threaded stem I2. Theannular composition valve disk I3 is centered about stem I2 andpartially enclosed by the ferrule I4 having an upper inwardly exendingflange I5 which fits within a correspondingly shaped groove in the lowerface' of plate II.

valve disk which is apt to stick and perhaps cause injury to certain ofthe parts incidental to its removal when seated within a groove in themovable valve member as has heretofore been the practice. 0

Metering sleeve I6 is formed with ahead por- I tion II centrallythreaded at I8 to engage stem I2, and with a downwardly extending hollowcylindrical skirt portion ISI which has a close sliding fit within thevalve passage 9. The skirt portion I9 is cut away at intervals to formone or more (usually two) open slots 20. These slots are preferablyrectangular and the upper end or base of each slot is beveled upwardlyand outwardly at a suitable angle as indicated at 2| so that this baseof the slot will be substantially tangential to the curved or outwardlyflared valve seat I fl'when the valve is.closed. The purpose of this isto cause the volume of steam flow through slots 20 (which form the onlysteam passages through which steam can flow from inlet 2 to outlet 3) tobe increased proportionately or by equal increments for each equalincrement of lift of the movable valve member from its seat. It willalso be apparent that the total area of The composition disk I3 is heldin place by the metering sleeve indicated generally the open portions ofslots 20 when valve member II is lifted determines the maximum steamflow permitted through the valve, and thus serves the purpose of theorifice plate heretofore used. By adjusting the maximum lift of valvemember II, the area of these gopen slots 20 can be adjusted thusdetermining the maximum steam flow without necessitating opening up thevalve or substituting a new orifice plate.

It will be apparent that if a greater steam flow is required for acertain type of radiator, a

metering plate provided with more slots 20 can.

this manner a varying increase in the flow area can be obtained forequal increments of lift of the valve member. In the form shown in Figs.5 and .6 the slot 20 will first be opened to form a steam passage, andthen the slots 20 20 and 20 will be successively opened as the valvemember is lifted higher. In any case, and if either form of meteringsleeve is used, the maximum steam flow permitted will be limited by themaximum height to which valve member I I may be raised.

The valve stem 22 (see also Fig. 7) is formed at its lower end'with aball 23 adapted to fit within a correspondingly shaped socket in theupper face of valve member II so that the valve member is supported fromthe stem through an the passage 9 and valve seat II) respectively. The

valve stem 22 is formed intermediate its length with a portion 24 ofsquare or other non-circular cross section, and above this with anothersquared 0r non-circular portion 25 of lesser diameter so that a stopshoulder or abutment '26 is formed at the base of portion 25. The upperend of the stem is threaded as indicated at 21. The intermediatenon-circular portion 24 of the stem is s1idable vertically through acorrespondingly shaped opening in the guide plate or disk 28 which isclamped at its outer edge to the upper surface of casing I by theclosure nut I. Therefore the stem 22 may be moved vertically to raise orlower the movable valve member II, but cannot rotate.

A flexible bellows sealing diaphragm 29 of well known form is secured atits lower end to an upwardly extending flange 30 at the outer edge ofvalve member II, and the upper outwardly exi tending portion 3| of thisdiaphragm is secured to the valve casing, preferably by being clampedbetween guide plate 28 and the casing by means of closure nut 'I. Itwill thus be seen that in all positions of vertical adjustment of thevalve member I I, no steam is permitted to reach the upper face of thevalve member or stem 22 or any of the operating mechanism hereinafterdescribed. Access may therefore be had from above to the operating andadjusting mechanism without ever breaking the seal in the valve orpermitting the escape of steam or entrance of air.

The internally threaded driving nut 32 is provided at its lower end withan outstanding annular flange 33 which is rotatably journaled betweenthe guide plate 28 and an inwardly extending flange 34 on closure memberI. The nut 32 is thus freely rotatable but is held against longi-.tudinal movement relative to the valve casing. The handle assemblyindicated generally at 35 standing collars 46, and the outer surfaces ofthese collars as well as the inner surface of handle collar 36 aremilled or each formed with a circumferential series of rather finevertically extending teeth 4|. Theseteeth on the collars 36 desiredposition of circumferential adjustment,

the parts then being locked in place by screw 42 threaded through collar36 so that its inner end will engage in the groove between collars 46 Ion the nut. The pointer 43 extending from collar 36 is adapted toindicate the positioning of the valve on a dial plate 44 suitablymounted on closure nut I. It might here be noted that for convenience ofillustration the handle 35 and pointer 43 have been shown in the samevertical plane as oil'tlet nipple 5 in all of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 whereasamatter of fact they would be positioned slightly to one side or theother of this vertical plane when in extreme on or "06 position, that isthe oscillatory or swinging movement of the'handle will not extendthrough quite 360.

The externally threaded nut 46 which meshes within internallythreaded'nut 32 is provided with a central non-circular opening adaptedto fit slidably on portion 25 of stem 22. The nut 45 will thus be heldfrom rotation by stem 22 which is in turn held from rotation by guideplate 28.

. The pitch of the threads between nuts 32 and 45 is such that onecomplete rotation or oscillation of handle assembly 36 and nut 32between substantially the extreme positions of the handle will move nut46 vertically a distance sufficient to move valve member H between itsextreme open and closed positions. The operating nut 45 is permitted alimited and adjustable vertical slid ing movement on stem 22 between thelower fixed stop shoulder 26 on the stem and an upper stop.

member adjustably mounted on the stem. This upper stop member comprisesthe adjusting nut ably but non-rotatably on portion 25 of the stem.

The upwardly extending. hollow cylindrical portion of the sleeve isprovided with an internal collar 56 beveled upwardly and outwardly asindicated at 66. When the skirt portion 49 of nut 66 is forced intosleeve 41 the spring fingers 51 w ll yield inwardly so that collar 62can snap into place beneath collar 55 and thus lock the memberstogether. The spring fingers on the nut have a tight frictional fitwithin sleeve ii. It will be apparent that the locking sleeve M isDQIi-I'Otfitr,

able on the stem so that any adjustment of nut 66 on the stern must bemade against the fric- -.tion al resistance of the sleeve which tends tohold the nut in any adjusted position. The lower surface of the frictionsleeve servesas an upper stopabut'ment for limiting the upward movementof nut M5 on stem 22. If nut 46 is screwed down sufliciently theoperating nut 46 will be clamped in fixed position on stem 22 betweenthe upper and lower stops. However, if adjusting nut 46 is movedupwardly on the stem, a certain amount of clearance will be providedbetween nut 46 and these stops so as to provide a certain amount of lostmotion between the nut 46 and stem 22. This clearance is indicatedbetween nut 45 and the lower stop at 51 in Fig. '1 when the valve is inopen position. When the valve is in closed position the clearance willbe between nut 45 and the upper stop as indicated at 56 in Fig. 2.

A cap member 56 adapted to be screwed at 66 onto the upper end portionof internally threaded nut 32 serves to enclose the adjusting nut 46. Aname plate or other ornamentation 6| may be inserted in the upper faceof cap 59. Collar 62 on the upper portion of nut 46 engages the inwardlyextending collar 63 at the upper end of nut 32 $6 as to limit the upwardtravel of the movable valve assembly.

position shown in Fig. 2 and that it is desired to open the valve, thehandle 36 will be swung in the proper direction through an angle ofsubstantially 360 until this movement is stopped by the engagement ofcollars 62 and 63. During the first portion of this movement the nut 45will simply move vertically on stem 22 so as to take up the lost-motion56 (see (Fig. 2) and thereafter nut 46 will lift the stem-assemblyincluding movable valve member H and metering sleeve l6. The distancethese valve members will be lifted depends upon the amount of clearanceprovided between operating nut 45 and the stop members on the stem, thisclearance or lost motion being deducted from the total possible lift ofthe valve to determine the maximum opening of slots 26 in the meteringsleeve. The greater the lostmotlon provided by the adjustment of nut 46the smaller will be the maximum opening of slots 26 and hence thesmaller the maximum steam flow into the radiator. In any event acomplete oscillatory movement of handle 35 will produce the desiredresults. When the valve is to be closed, the handle is swung as far aspossible in the opposite direction, thus taking up the lost-motion 51between nut 45 and stop 26 (see'Fig. 1) and forcing the composition diskI3 into engagement with valve seat I6. I It will be understood that theexpansive action of bellows diaphragm 23 and the weight of the movingparts both tend to move the valve members toward closed position.

In order to adjust the maximum opening of the valve and thereforedetermine the normal steam flowto the radiator when the. valve is open.it is merely necessary to remove the'screw cap 56 and then adjust nut 46in one direction or the other on the valve stem. It. will be noted (seeFig, 3) that a plurality of radial reference lines- 64 are cut in theupper surface of nut 32. In the present example there are fifteen ofthese lines. The purpose of these equally spaced lines is to permit onewho is adjusting the valve to determine the fraction of a fullturn thenut has been adjusted. Thus if the slots 26 in the metering sleeve areso proportionedthat the valve has a capacity of. fifteen square feet ofdirect radiation for each complete turn of the adjusting nut 36, theneach division on this scalewill represent one square foot of radiation.It will also be noted that the dial plate is provided with aLnumber ofgraduations 65 which permit a trained operator to determine theadjustment the valve has by merely turning the handle. The experiencedoperator, by observing the relation of the index 45 'abuts the upperstop and starts to lift the stem. The difierence in tension required tomove the valve vertically by turning the handle before and after itabuts this stop is very slight and not apparent to unauthorized personsor persons untrained relative to the mechanism of the valve. However,the experienced operator can in this manner determine the amount ofradiation the valve is set for. The cap nut 59 will normally be screwedon so tight that a wrench is necessary for its removal, thus preventingunauthorized persons from tampering with the adjustment of the valve. 1

The form of the invention hereinabove described permits any occupant ofa room to turn a radiator on or off but the maximum steam flow can onlybe adjusted by authorized persons familiar with the mechanism. In themodification shown in Fig. 10 the valve is so designed as to prevent theoccupants of the room from turning the radiator on or oil, that is thevalve will ordinarily be left in open or closed position until it isre-set by an experienced operator. Such parts of the apparatus as arenot here specifically referred to are the same as disclosed. in Figs. 1and 2. In lieu of the handle assembly 35, a closure member 66 is securedover the internally threaded nut 32, this closure member being providedwith internal teeth 61 engaging the ribs 40 on nut 32 in the same manneras the collar 36 in the previously described form of the invention. Thecap member 66 is then enclosed by a .in the upper portion of cap 66 soas to oscillate cap 6.6 in the same manner as handle 35 was manipulatedin the first described form of the invention. In order to adjust themaximum opening of the valve passages, cap member 68 is removed and cap66 lifting off and then nut 46 may be adjusted in the manner alreadydescribed. This type of valve is not intended to be adjusted at allexcept by an authorized operator.

It will now be apparent. that with a valve of either type hereinabovedescribed the valve may be moved to a maximum open position by an.extreme movement of the operating handle, but this maximum opening isadjusted permanently, or only at such times as changes in the heating 2system as a whole may require, by a proper adjustment of the stop nut46. At the same time the valve may be set to any partially open positionby moving the operating handle '35 to some intermediate position thuspartially closing steam passages 20 in the metering sleeve. In otherwords the steam flow may be modulated between zero and the predeterminedmaximum by means of the manually operable handle.

It will be noted that all of the movable parts whereby the valve islifted or adjusted are out-l side of the steam space, that is, they areseparated from the steam space by the flexible sealing means 29 so thatthere can be no air leaks while the mechanism is being adjusted, norwill any of these moving parts he incrusted by exposure to the steam.

We claim: l

1. A radiator inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an internalvalve seat, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, alongitudinally movable stem carrying the valve member, a manuallyoperable member mounted on the casing for swinging movement between twopredetermined extreme positions to open and close the valve, andoperating means between the manually operable member and stem wherebyoscillation of the member imparts longitudinal movement to the stem,said means including adjustable lost-motion connections whereby themaximum opening of the valve is selectively determined.

2.'A radiator inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an internalvalve seat, a movable valve member cooperating with saidseat, aTongitudinally movable stem carrying the valve member, a manuallyoperable member mounted for swinging movement between two predeterminedextreme positions to open and close the valve, and operating meansbetween the manually operable member and stem whereby oscillation of themember imparts longitudinal movement to the stem, said means comprisinga guide member fixed to the casing through which the stem isnon-rotatably slidable, an internally threaded nut rotatably mounted onthe casing to which nut the manually operable member is secured, anexternally threaded nut keyed onthe stem for longitudinal movementthereon and meshing within the internally threaded nut, and stops on thestem for limiting the longitudinal movement of the nut in each directionon the stem, one of the stops being adjustable.

3. A radiator inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an internalvalve seat, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, alongitudinally movable stem carrying the valve member, a manuallyoperable member mounted for swinging movement between twopredeterminedextreme positions to open and close the valve, and operating meansbetween the manually operable member and stem whereby oscillation of themember imparts longitudinal movement to the stem, said means comprisinga guide member fixed to the casing through which the stem ,isnon-rotatably slidable, an internally threaded nut rotatably mounted onthe casing to which nut the manually operable member is adjustablysecured, an externally threaded nut keyed on the stem for longitudinalmovement thereon and meshing within the internally threaded nut, andstops on the stem for limiting the longitudinal movement 'of the nut onthe stem in each direction, one of the stops being adjustable.

4. A radiator-inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an internalvalve seat, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, aflextermined.

5. A radiator inlet valve comprisinga valve casing having an internalvalve seat, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, alongitudinally movable stem carrying the valve member, a manuallyoperable member mounted for swinging movement between two predeterminedextreme positions to open and close the valve, operating means betweenthe manually operable member and stem whereby oscillation of the 1member imparts longitudinal movement to the longitudinal movementthereon and meshing within the internally threaded nut, and stops on thestem for limiting the longitudinal movement of the nut on the stem ineach direction, one of the stops comprising a nut adjustably threaded onthe stem, and means for locking the last-mentioned nut in adjustedposition.

6. A radiator inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an internalvalve seat, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, alongitudinally movable stem carrying the valve member, a manuallyoperable member mounted for swinging movement between two predeterminedextreme positions to open and close the valve, op-

erating means between the manually operable member and stem wherebyoscillation of the member imports longitudinal movement to the stem;said means comprising a guide member fixed to the casing through whichthe stem is non-rotatably slidable, an internally threaded nut rotatablymounted on the casing to which nut the manually operable member issecured, an externally threaded nut keyed on the stem for longitudinalmovement thereon and meshing within the internally threaded nut, andstops on the stem for limiting the longitudinal movement of the nut onthe stem in each direction, one of, the stops comprising a nutadjustably threaded on the stem, means for locking the last-mentionednut in adjusted position, and a removable cap normally enclosing theadjustable nut.

7. A radiator inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an internalvalve seat, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, alongitudinally movable stem carrying the valve memher, a manuallyoperable member mounted for swinging movement between two predeterminedextreme positions to open and close the valve, operating means betweenthe manually operable member and stem whereby oscillation of the memberimparts longitudinal movement to the stem, said means comprising a guidemember fixed to the casing through which the stem is non-rotatablyslidable, an internally threaded nut rotatably monted on the casing towhich nut the stem, and a sleeve non-rotatably keyed on the stem andfrictionally engaging the last-mentioned nut to lock the nut in adjustedposition.

8. A radiator inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an internalvalve seat, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, aflexible sealing daiphragm secured at its respective ends to the casingand movable valve member, a

longitudinally movable stem carrying the valve member, a manuallyoperable member mounted for swinging movement between two predeterminedextreme positions to open and close the valve, operating means betweenthe manually onerable member and stem whereby oscillation of the memberimparts longitudinal movement to the stem, said means comprising a guidemember fixed to the casing through' which the stem is non-rotatablyslidable, an internally threaded nut rotatably mounted on the casing towhich nut the manually operable member is secured, an externallythreaded nut keyed on the stem for longitudinal movement thereon andmeshing within the internally threaded nut, stops on the stem forlimiting the longitudinal movement of the nut on the stem in eachdirection, one of the stops comprising a nut adjustably threaded on thestem, and a sleeve non-rotatably keyed on the stem and frictionallyengaging the last-mentioned nut to lock the nut in adjusted position.

9. A radiator inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an innersubstantially cylindrical port provided with a valve seat at its innerend, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, a longitudinallymovable stem carrying the valve member, a manually operable membermounted on the casing for swinging movement between two predeterminedextreme positions to open and close the valve-operating means betweenthe manually operable member and stem whereby oscillation of the memberimparts longitudinal movement to the stem, said means includingadjustable lost-motion connections whereby the maximum'opening of thevalve is selectively determined, and a metering sleeve secured tothemovable valve member and slidably fitted within the port, said sleevebeing apertured to determine the maximum flow of fluid through the portand sleeve.

10. A radiator inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an innersubstantially cylindrical port provided with a valve seat at its innerend, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, a flexiblesealing diaphragm secured at its respective ends to the casing andmovable valve member, a longitudinally movable stem carrying the valvemember, a manually operable member mounted on the casing for swingingmovement between two predetermined extreme positions to open and closethevalve, operating means between the manually operable member and stemwhereby oscillation of the member imparts longitudinal movement to thestem, said means 'including adjustable lost-motion connections wherebythe maximum opening of the valve is selectively determined, and ametering sleeve secured to the movable valve member and slidably fittedwithin the port, said sleeve being apertured to determine the maximumflow of fluid through the port and sleeve. 1

11. A radiator inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an innersubstantially cylindrical port provided with a valve seat at its innerend,

a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, a longitudinallymovable stem carrying the valve member, a manually operable membermounted on the casing for swinging movement between two predeterminedextreme positions to open and close the valve, operating means betweenthe manually operable member and stem whereby oscillation of the memberimparts lon-, gitudinal movement to the stem, said means includingadjustable lost-motion connections whereby the maximum opening of thevalve is selectively determined, and a metering sleeve secured to themovable valve member and slidably fitted within the port, said sleevebeing longitudinally slotted to determine the'maximum how of fiuidthrough the port and sleeve.

12. A radiator inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an innersubstantially cylindrical port provided with a valve seat at its innerend, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, a longitudinallymovable stem carrying the valve member, a manually operable membermounted on the casing for swinging movement between two predeterminedextreme positions to open and close the valve, operating means betweenthe manually operable member and stem whereby oscillation of the memberimparts longitudinal movement to the stem, said means includingadjustable lost-motion connections whereby the maximum opening of thevalve is selectively determined, and a metering sleeve secured to themovable valve member and slidably fitted within the port, said sleevebeing provided with longitudinal slots of differing lengths toproportion the increment of fluid flow through the valve for eachincrement of valve opening.

13. A radiator inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an innersubstantially cylindrical port provided with a valve seat at its innerend, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, a longitudinallymovable stem carrying the valve member, a manually operable membermounted on the casing for swinging movement between two predeterminedextreme positions to open and close the valve, operating means betweenthe manually operable member and stem whereby oscillation of the, memberimparts longitudinal.

movement to the stem, said means including adjustable lost-motionconnections whereby the maximum opening of the valve is selectivelydetermined, and a metering sleeve secured to the movable valve memberand slidably fitted within the port, said sleeve being longitudinallyslotted to determine the maximum flow of fluid through the port andsleeve, the valve seat being outwardly flared at the outlet of the portand the bases of the slots being outwardly beveled so as to besubstantially tangential to the flared surface of the seat so theincrease oi. steam, flow through the valve will be directly proportionalto successive increments of valve opening,

14. A radiator inlet valve comprising a valve casing having an innersubstantially cylindrical port provided with a valve seat at its innerend, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat, a flexiblesealing diaphragm secured at its respective ends to-the casing andmovable valve member, a longitudinally movable stem carrying the valvemember, a manually operable member mounted on the casingfor swingingmovement between two predetermined extreme positions to tudinal movementto the stern, said means including adjustable lost-motion connectionswhereby the maximum opening of the valve is selectively determined, anda. metering sleeve secured to the movable valve member and slidablyfitted within the port, said sleeve being longitudinally slotted todetermine the maximum flow of fluid through the port and sleeve, thevalve seat being outwardly flared at the outlet of the port and thebases of'the slots being outwardly beveled so as to be substantiallytangential to the flared surface of the seat so that the increase ofsteam flow through the valve will be directly proportional to successiveincrements of valve opening.

15.'In a valve-adjusting mechanism, a valve stem having a threadedportion. and'a non-circular portion adjacent thereto, a nut adjustableon the threaded portion of the stem, and a sleeve keyed on thenon-circular portion of the stem for movement with the nutlongitudinally of the stem, the sleeve and nut having overlappedfrictionally engaged portions whereby the sleeve tends to lock the nutin adjusted position.

16. In a valve-adjusting mechanism, a valve stem having a threadedportion and a non-circular portion adjacent thereto, a nut adjustable onthe threaded portion of the stem and having a split skirt portionextending from one end thereof, and a sleeve having a hub portion keyedon the non-circular portion of the stem for movement with the nutlongitudinaly of the stem, said sleeve being forced with a tightfrictional fit over the skirt portion of the nut so that the sleevetends to lock the nut in adjusted position.

l7.'In a valve-adjusting mechanism, a valve stem having a threadedportion and a non-circular portion adjacent thereto, a nut adjustable onthe threaded portion of the stem and having a split skirt portionextending from one end thereof, and a sleeve having a hub portion keyedon the non-circular portion of the stem for movement with the nutlongitudinally of the stem, 0

said sleeve being forced with a tight frictional fit over the skirtportion of the nut so that the sleeve tends to 'lock' the nut inadjusted position, the skirt and sleeve being formed respectively withoutwardly and inwardly extending shoulders the stem is non-rotatablyslidable, a metering sleeve secured to, the valve member and slidablyfitting within the port, said sleeve being longitudinally slotted toprovide passages for the flow of fluid through the valve, 9. flexiblesealing diaphragm secured at its respective ends to the valve casing andmovable valve member, an internally threaded nut rotatably mounted onthe casing coaxial with the stem, an externally threaded nut keyed onthe stem for longitudinal movement thereon and meshing within theinternally threaded nut, upper and lower stops on the stem for limitingthe longitudinal sliding movement of thenut on the stem, the upper stopcomprising an adjusting nut threaded on the upper portion of the stem,means for locking the adjusting nut in adjusted position, 'a handlemember adjustably secured to the internally threaded nut for rotatingthe same, and a cap removably secured to the internally threaded nut forenclosing the adjusting nut and pre- I venting access thereto.

19. A radiator inlet valve casing having an inner substantiallycylindrical port provided with a'valve seat at its upper end, a movablevalve member cooperating with said seat, a longitudinally movable stemcarrying the valve member,

' a guide member fixed to the casing through which nut keyed on the stemfor longitudinal movement thereon and meshing within the internallythreaded nut, upper and lower stops on the stem for limiting thelongitudinal sliding movement of the nut on the stem, the upper stopcomprising an adjusting nut threaded on the upper portion of the stem,means comprising a sleeve non-rotatably mounted on the stem andfrictionally ehi gaging theadjusting nut for locking the adJusting nutin adjusted position, a handle member adjustably secured to theinternally threaded nut for rotating the same, and a cap removablysecured to the internally threaded nut for enclosing the adjusting nutand preventing access thereto.

20. A radiator inlet valve casing having an inner substantiallycylindrical port provided with a valve seat at its upper end, a movablevalve member cooperating withsaid seat, a longitudinally movable stemcarrying the valve member, a guide member fixed to the casing throughwhich the stem is non-rotatably slidable, a metering sleeve secured tothe valve member and slidably fitting within the port, said sleeve beinglongitudinally slotted to provide passages for the flow of fluid throughthe valve, a flexible sealing diaphragm secured at its respective endsto the valve casing and movable valve member, an internally threaded nutrotatably mounted on the casing coaxial with the stem, an externallythreaded nut keyed on the stem for longitudinal movement thereon andmeshing within the internally threaded nut, upper and lower stops on thestem for limiting the longitudinal sliding movement of the nut on thestem, the upper stop comprising an adjusting nut threaded on the upperportion of the stem, means for locking the adjusting nut in adjustedposition, a cap provided with a wrench socket in its upper end andremovably secured over the internally threaded nut so as to enclose theadjusting nut, and a closure member secured to the casing and enclosingthe last-mentioned cap member, said closure being provided with anopening in its upper end through which a key wrench may be engaged withthe socket in the cap to rotate the cap;

DAVID) N. CROS'I'HWAIT, JR. ALBERT J. HESMER. JOHN HENRY BRENNAN.

